Sectional packing.



No. 838,291. PATENTED DEC. 11, 1906.

J. E. WILLGOX. SECTIONAL PACKING.

APPLICATION nmm JULY-10, 1905.

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UNITED PATENT OFFICE...

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 11 1906.

Application filed July 10,1905. Serial No. 269,131.

this invention is the arrangement by which a contractible or collapsible ring of spring metal is, held closely pressed against the rod by means of four overlapping ring-sections soarranged as to exert an inward pressure upon the contractible ring along two diametrical lines intersecting at approximately right angles, whereby every part of the collapsible ring is kept snugly against the rod to prevent leakage.

Another feature characterizing this invention consists in the combination, with each two -.part ring, of a pair of compressionsprings each of which is secured to one part and arranged to press upon the other part in such a manner as to keep the adjacent end faces of the two sections pressed together, while exerting a tendency to cause these end faces to slide by each other in opposite directions.

These and other features of the invention will be more fully described in this specification and will be concisely defined in the claims forming part thereof.

In the accompanying drawings I have shown a simple mode of embodying the essential features of this invention, although it will be understood that minor changes in form, construction, and arrangement may be made in practice.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the complete packing as it appears when assembled on the rod. Fig. 2 is a similar view illustrating the position which the parts of the ring tend to assume under the action of the compressionspring arrangement. Fig. 3 is a view of the opposite face of the packing to that shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a side or edgewise view of the packing applied to a rod. Fig. 5 is a vertical transverse sectional view through the same. Fig. 6 is a detail view showing one form of the collapsible or contractible ring. Fig. 7 is a perspective of one of the sectional parts, showing the spanner-spring attached thereto. Fig. 8 is a detail transverse section showing the locking-pin which holds the parallel sectional rings from slipping out of proper relationshi Fig. 9 is a detail view showing a modi' 'ed form of contractible spring-ring.

According to the practice of my invention in the form illustrated in the drawings I provide a small flat split ring a, of spring metal, such as Babbitt or soft brass, whose ends are formed as overlapping projections a, each being approximately one-half the width of the ring. Obviously external pressure applied to this ring will cause the two projecting ends a to slide by each other, thus contracting the diameter of the ring. Where the ring is made integral, as shown in Fig.6, it may be provided with one or more transverse cuts extending partially through the ring, as illustrated ate in Fig. 6. According to the arrangement shown this ring is sprung over the rod 0, and then outside of it are arranged two sectional rings made in two parts, the divisional planes or dividing cuts of each ring being run in parallel planes to divide each ring into two equal parts or members I). These rings 7) are adapted to be arranged in pairs side by side and have their inner faces or corners channeled or chamfered out, as indicated at b, to form annular recesses of suitable size and shape to receive the contractible ring a when the packing parts are assembled. These parallel sectional rings should be arranged so as to break joints, the preferable arrangement being one in which the divisional lines or cuts of one ring extend at right angles to the planes of the divisional lines or cuts of its companion ring. The channels I) are preferably cut so that their width is equal to only one-half of the width of the contractible ring a. By this arrangement all four sections of the two rings will bear equally against the contractible ring a, and the direction of movement of the respective parts will be on radial lines toward the center at approximately ninety degrees apart.

To insure the proper relationship of the two rings, the rings may be provided with a dowel-pin connection in their opposing faces, as shown at c in Fig. 8. or press together toward the center the In order to contract parts of the rin and cause them to snugly engage the rod, provide each section of each rlng with a spanner-spring d, which is secured thereto in any suitable manner, as by means of a screw or pin. Each spannerspring is of circular contour, falling somewhat short of a full circumference, and is preferably struck on a slightly shorter radius than the radius of the sectional ring which it surrounds, so as to have a normal tendency to contract the ring encircled by it. h/Ioreover, the spring is so arranged that the free or unsecured end thereof engages the peripheral surface of the section complementary to that to which the spring is fastened somewhat short of or to the rear of the diametrical plane that is perpendicular to the end surfaces of the two sections of the ring, so that the tension of the free portion of the spring where the efiective pressure is exerted is in a direction diagonal to the planes of the end face of the complementary section, as indicated by the arrows shown on Fig. 1 and Fig. 2. The object of exerting the pressure in this direc t1on is to cause the two sections of the ring to slide toward each other, while at the same time keeping their ends firmly pressed together to prevent them from gaping open. In order that this spring tension may act in this manner when the rings are somewhat worn down, I form the free ends of the encircling springs with a sort of bevel or cam surface, as shown at d. The beveling or out- Ward deflecting of the inner surface of the spring at cl tends to produce a uniformity of pressure during the gradual contraction of the sectional ring in taking up wear, since the sloping surface d compensates for the curvature of the periphery of the ring. Thus at all times a proper tension is exerted both to keep the parts of the ring snugly pressed to the rod and also to keep the end faces of the complementary sections pressed firmly together, and this too with a minimum of.

friction against the rod itself. The action of these spanner-springs is graphically represented in Figs. 1 and 2.

Instead of making the collapsible ring in the form of an integral split ring a this ring may be made in sections 6, having overlapping ends e, as shown in Fig. 9. In that case also the ring will preferably be made of spring material, so that it will adapt itself perfectly to the contour of the rod or surface against which it is disposed.

By arranging the spanner-spring to exert its effective pressure at a point a little to the rear of the diameter perpendicular to the intersecting planes of the ring the tension of the springs tends to keep all the sectionjoints tight and true, and in this manner the pressure is best applied to the inside contractible ring.

Without attempting to set forth all the changes in form, construction, and arrangement that may be made in the practice of my invention or the difierent modes of its application to practical purposes, what I claim is 1. A sectional packing embracing in its construction, a contractible ring of spring metal adapted to encircle and hug the rod to be packed, a pair of sectional rings arranged side by side and provided with annular channels on their inside faces whereby each sectional ring overhangs said contractible ring, and means for forcing the ring-sections in wardly to clasp the contractible ring snugly to the rod to be packed, substantially as de scribed.

2. A sectional packing embracing in its construction, a split ring having overlapping ends in close engagement with each other, a sectional ring constructed and arranged to surround and overlap said split ring, and means for pressing the members of the sectional ring inwardly wherebythe split ring is contracted snugly upon the rod to be packed, substantially as described.

3. In a sectional packing the combination of a two-part sectional ring whose planes of division intersect the body of the ring in parallel planes, a pair of centering-springs one of which is secured to each sectional member of the ring and has its free end extending partly around the other member of the ring, said spring being arranged to exert an inward pressure at a point some distance to the rear of the diametrical plane that is perpendicular to the plane of the endfaces of the sectional members, substantially as described.

4. A sectional packing-ring comprising two members whose four end faces lie in parallel planes, combined with a pair of centeringsprings, the respective springs being secured to the respective members of the ring and extending side by side in opposite directions and arranged to exert near its free end a pressure upon the complementary member at a point somewhat to the rear of a diametrical/ plane that is perpendicular to the planes of the end faces of the sectional members, substantially as described.

5. A sectional ring for a packing embracing in its construction, two sections whose divisional planes are parallel, each section having secured to it an encircling spring which extends part way around the complementary section, the inner face of the free end portion of the spring being turned outwardly from the circular line of the ring, substantially as described.

6. A sectional packing embracing in its construction, a pair of two-part sectional rings arranged side by side to break joints, each ring being formed with an annular recess on its inner face, a contractible ring arranged to surround the rod to be packed and to occupy the annular recesses formed in the two rings, and means for pressing the four sections of the encircling rings inwardly on radial lines approximately ninety degrees apart, substantially as described.

7. In a sectional packing the combination of a flexible ring adapted to encircle the rod to be packed and having its end portions formed with projections of narrow width arranged to overlap and closely engage each other, and means arranged about the periphery of said ring to contract it snugly against the rod to be packed, substantially as described.

8. A sectional packing embracing in its construction, a flexible contractible onepiece ring adapted to encircle the rod to be packed, and means to contract said ring and to normally hold it contracted upon the rod to be packed, substantially as described.

9. A device of the class described embrac ing in its construction, a two-part sectional ring, circular springs secured to each section and partly encircling the complementary section, the inside face of the free end portion of the spring being deflected away from the circular line of the spring, substantially as described.

10. A sectional packing-ring embracing in its construction a flexible contractible ring having overlapping ends adapted to closely encircle the rod to be packed, and spring-actuated sectional contracting-rings arranged to encircle said contractible ring and to exert a normal pressure thereon from difl'erent directions toward a common center, substantially as described.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 30th day of June, 1905.

J. E. WILLCOX.

In presence of'- GEo. N. GODDARD, KATHARINE A. DUGAN 

